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Snakespotting in Britain
The few sunny days between the rain and snow have seen some British snakes basking. PETER FROST takes a look at these reptiles’ world
An adder, Britain's only venomous snake

THE FEW bright sunny days of early spring are often the best time to see our native snakes. Keep your eyes open for a patch of bright sunshine, even on a chilly day and you may see one of our three native snakes.

Snakes are cold blooded, so after a winter of sleep they need to warm their blood sunbathing. If your walk takes you over rough land you might find a snake on a warm rock or patch of hard soil.

Absolutely the best place to find them is under a sheet of scrap metal, corrugated from for example, lying on the ground. So nature reserves even lay down squares of metal to attract them. If you do find something suitable, carefully lift it to see what might be warming itself underneath.

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